An Article on the Two Andy's ... (never heard Murraymania, referred to as Andy-monium before !)

Paris is certainly not a happy hunting ground for English-speakers – in the men’s draw at least. Every year, the US press laments the country’s lack of presence in the second week, while in the UK, the clay of Roland Garros is seen as a necessary evil that somehow seems to get in the way of the real business of tennis – namely hyping up the latest great British hope (Andy Murray having taken over the mantle of “Tiger” Tim Henman) on the lawns at Wimbledon.

This year, things are unlikely to be significantly different at Roland Garros, even though the competition has been reduced with world No.5 Juan Martin del Potro definitely out of the running due to a wrist injury and No.6 Nikolay Davydenko also doubtful. Roddick’s lack of penchant for the red dirt has long been an accepted fact, so much so that he was not present in Rome at the ATP Masters tournament on the surface.

He will “warm up” for the French Open at Madrid, and then play for as long as he can stay in the tournament, with at least one eye firmly on the grass season and Wimbledon, where he pushed Roger Federer all the way in a five-set marathon final last year. At least he is actually due to play in Paris this year, having chosen to celebrate his engagement to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker with a beach holiday during Roland Garros in 2008.

Draconian fitness regime

Murray meanwhile at least talks a good game on clay, even if results are yet to back him up. He has a good kicking service, excellent slices and deft drop-shots – all the right ingredients for the red brick – but makes no bones about the fact that if and when a Grand Slam title comes, it will likely be on hard courts (to the chagrin of the Wimbledon fans who are trying to replace Henmania with Murraymania, or Andy-monium to give it its catchier title).

He lost to eventual finalist David Ferrer in Rome, and was quick to take the positives out of his play. “This week I just felt so much better than I did in Monte Carlo(where he lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber at the first hurdle, taking only three games) because I was able to play and practise and get into shape. It's a long, long stretch coming up with the French Open and Wimbledon and obviously I don't want to take time off.”

Again, the W-word was thrown in there. English-speaking Andys have a tendency to look past Paris towards London. They are both excellent tennis players with an all-round game capable of getting results on any surface, despite the preferences which they naturally have.

We can but hope against hope that Messrs Murray and Roddick cause a few surprises on red dirt this year, and for the Scotsman in particular, this is an important time in his career. With Del Potro and Davydenko possibly out, he has a chance to go deep at the French, but with Robin Soderling, David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco all breathing down his neck and relishing a Slam on clay, not to mention Marin Cilic who eliminated him here in Paris last year, he needs all the ranking points he can get.

For Roddick as well, this could be the opportunity for him to show that he is an all-round player as opposed to “just” a fast-courter. He has made enormous strides over the past 18 months in terms of fitness, shedding excess pounds thanks to a draconian fitness regime imposed by coach Larry Stefanki, and also movement, as he demonstrated by gliding around the court to victory at the ATP Masters in Miami barely a month ago. A good showing at the French could see him leap up the rankings and take over the mantle of the “best of the Andys”...

^ Thanks, chuck... I was relying on you to reply. I thought it was the case, but wasn't sure.

I'm just wondering what the chances are of it NOT being a Fed, Nadal final? I know there may be upsets, but it seems like a given... Is it just me, or is it just getting boring.... I mean, you can't take anything away from these guys, but in terms of entertainment....